Boston Celtics: 3 key matchups of round-two vs Toronto Raptors
By Mark Nilon
Boston Celtics key matchup vs Raptors: Marcus Smart v Fred VanVleet
Next up, we have perhaps two of the most underrated players the NBA currently has to offer in fourth-year man Fred VanVleet and the heart and soul of Boston Celtics basketball, Marcus Smart.
Working his way up from being an undrafted free agent back in 2016 to a man on the brink of being one of the most highly sought after free agents in 2020, the feel-good story that is VanVleet is far more deserving of attention than it currently receives.
Seeing a career year in his first season as a full-time starter, the combo-guard finds himself boasting impressive averages of 17.6 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.9 steals per game on 41 percent shooting from the field and 39 percent shooting from deep.
This postseason, he has been serving as Toronto’s most efficient commodity, as he’s boasting a stat-line of 21.3 points and 7.8 assists a game (both best amongst teammates) while shooting at an impressive 53 percent from the field and 56 percent shooting from downtown.
On the other side of the court, we find Smart, a man seemingly out on a mission to prove the Defensive Player of the Year voters wrong, after they snubbed him from being considered for the illustrious award.
Though his per-game stats might not be as eye-catching as VanVleet’s — 8.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game — his impact and hustle, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, has been vital thus far.
VanVleet’s offensive excellence versus Smart’s defensive tenacity throughout a seven-game-series?
Sign me up!